Triangular carton



Dec. 9, 1969 WyPASCUS ET AL 3,482,760

TRIANGULAR CARTON I Filed Feb. 25, 1969 5 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 f7? Jezzzons' rweys Dec. 9, 1969 A W. PASCUS ET AL TRIANGULAR CARTON Filed Feb. 25, 1969 United States Fatent O 3,482,760 TRIANGULAR CARTON Arnold W. Pascus, Mount Prospect, and Edmund Boehm,

Chicago, Ill., assignors to Elwood Industries, Inc., a

corporation of Illinois Filed Feb. 25, 1969, Ser. No. 802,062 Int. Cl. B65d 5/10 US. Cl. 22922 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A generally triangular carton formed from a substantially rectangular blank having three parallel fold lines defining four foldable panels with two of the panels having fiaps projecting beyond the opposite ends thereof and another of the panels having a double flap for receiving the flaps of the said two panels so that when the panels are folded upon themselves, the first and last panels overlap with all of the ears of the panels assembled together to form a triangular shaped enclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates in general to the box or carton art and, more particularly, to a generally triangularly shaped box or carton formed from a blank, preferably of laminated material of the type having two spaced plies separated by a corrugated core.

Brief description of the prior art Prior art patents showing generally triangularly shaped cartons or boxes include the patents to Wheeler 2,996,234, Munana 3,178,092, Grimm 3,231,077 and Fogle 3,397,- 771. Generally speaking, these patents show substantially triangular shaped cartons formed from substantially rectangular blanks. Further, the Fogle and Munana patents show double eared flaps at the extremity of a panel for nestably receiving other flaps. However, in none of these patents is there provision of sets of cars on panels disposed on opposite sides of the panel bearing double eared flaps. Moreover, none of the art shows a carton construction wherein the blank comprises four foldably connected fold panels, which when folded upon each other, include two overlapping panels and wherein the laterally projecting flaps of panels on either side of the panel bearing the double eared flap are received between the subportions of the double eared flap.

Generally triangular shaped cartons heretofore known to the applicants have not been satisfactorily rigid nor esthetically acceptable for commercial use. Thus, a need and desire has arisen to provide a generally triangular shaped carton or box which would afford a rigid structure satisfactorily enclosing the contents against damage or unintended dislodgment while being relatively simple to assemble and generally attractive in appearance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed, in brief, to the provision of a generally triangular shaped carton or box formed from a substantially rectangular blank.

The best mode currently contemplated by us for carrying out the invention includes the provision of a blank having four foldably connected panels, with a pair of substantially triangular shaped ears or flaps foldably connected to the opposite ends of the first and fourth panels. In addition, double eared flaps are foldably connected to the opposite ends of the second panel.

The carton is assembled by folding the double eared flaps of the second panel in upon themselves and upwardly about the fold line connecting them to the panel. The

first panel is then folded up towards the second panel with the aid of the flaps of the first panel received between the double eared flaps of the second panel. Next, the third and fourth panels are folded upwardly and upon the remaining panels with the fourth panel overlapping the first panel and the ears of the fourth panel also nestably received within the double eared slots at the ends of the second panel.

Suitable means is provided for maintaining the carton in a closed condition, such as adhesive materal disposed between the first and fourth panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a carton blank made in accordance with the principles of this invention; and

FIGURE 2 is an end elevational view of an assembled carton made from the blank shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the assembled carton of this invention;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a stage in the assembly of the carton from the blank shown i FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a section view taken generally along the lines 55 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary section view taken generally along the lines 66 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary section view taken generally along the lines 77 of FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary section view taken generally along the lines 88 of FIGURE 5.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a specific embodiment therefor, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, this invention includes the provision of a generally rectangular blank 10, preferably of the type comprising a lamination 0f paperlike corrugation sandwiched between two outer plies of paper like sheet material. Preferably, the corrugations run generally parallel and transverse to the opposed side edges of the blank.

The blank 10 includes three transversely extending fold lines 12, 14 and 16 dividing the blank into four foldably connected panels 18, 20, 22 and 24. These fold lines extend generally transversely to the corrugations and generally parallel to top edge 26 which defines one side of panel 18 and bottom edge 28 which defines one side of panel 24.

The opposite ends of panel 18 are laterally defined by fold lines 30 and 32 by means of which generally triangular fiaps 34 and 36, respectively, are foldably connected to panel 18 at the opposite ends thereof.

The opposite ends of panel 20 are laterally defined by fold lines 38 and 40 by means of which the double eared flaps 42 and 44, respectively, are foldably connected to the opposite ends of panel 20. Each flap 42 and 44 includes two generally triangularly shaped subportions 42a and 42b and 44a and 4412, respectively, separated by generally parallel pairs of diagonally extending score 42b and 44b, respectively. Further included in this locking means is a generally right angular cut 50 and 52 adjacent each of fold lines 38 and 40, respectively, and fold line 12. The cutouts are intended to receive tabs 46 and 48, respectively, when the double eared flaps are folded upon each other about the midportions 42c and 44e with the tabs 46 and 48 facing downwardly toward panel 20.

It is to be noted that fold lines 30 and 32 lie inside of fold lines 38 and 40. In this manner flaps 34 and 36 are positioned to be received between portions 42a and 42b and 44a and 44b of double eared flaps 42 and 44.

Panel 22 is laterally defined by side edges 54 and 56. In the illustrated embodiment, this panel has no flaps. Edges 54 and 56 are generally coextensive with fold lines 38 and 40, or lie generally along the same line.

Panel 24 has fold lines 58 and 60 which define the lateral extent thereof and foldably connect substantially triangular shaped flaps 62 and 64 to the panel. Fold lines 58 and 60 lie inside of fold lines 38 and 40 but outside of fold lines 30 and 32. Thus, when panel 24 is folded about panel 18 in the assembled condition, the flaps 62 and 64 may be received between the double eared flaps 42 and 44 and lie to the outside of flaps 34 and 36.

Adhesive means are provided for maintaining the carton in a closed condition when the several elements are folded upon each other. Preferably, the adhesive comprises the type which tenaciously adheres to itself, but does not adhere to the similar surface, such as the type known as contact cements or the like. Also, it is preferable that the adhesive be located on diametrically opposite portions of the blank. To this end, such an adhesive 66 is disposed on the rear face 68 of panel 18 and on the front face 70 of the panel 24. By this arrangement, when the blanks are stacked in a flattened condition, the adhesive portion will not come in direct contact with each other and yet, when the flaps are folded upon them selves to provide the completed carton, faces 68 and 70 will directly oppose each other so that the adhesive portion 66 of each face may intimately engage and tenaciously adhere to each other to maintain the enclosure atforded by the several folding steps.

It is also preferable that the periphery of the blank be serrated so as to prevent the likelihood of annoying finger cuts or the like as is common with straight card board or paper edges. If desired, a zippered type opening well known in the art could be provided for gaining access to the package by the intended recipient or user thereof.

To assemble the carton, panel 18 is folded about fold line 12 relative to panel 20 and flaps 34 and 36 are folded inwardly about fold lines 30 and 32. Double eared flaps 42 and 44 are folded about fold lines 420 and 42d and 44c and 44d, respectively, and then about fold lines 38 and 40 so as to embrace flaps 34 and 36 between portion 43a and 42b and 44a and 441). Tabs 46 and 48 are then inserted in cuts 50 and 52 to lock the double eared flaps 42 and 44 relative to panel 20. Panel 22 is then folded about fold line 14 thereby forming a triangular shaped enclosure. Following this, panel 24 is folded about fold line 16 with face 70 of panel 24 directly in engagement with face 68 of panel 18 and adhesive portion 66 opposite each other. During this folding operation, flaps 62 and 64 are folded about fold lines 58 and 60 and inserted between portions 42a and 44a and flaps 34 and 36, respectively. The adhesive portions 66 are pressed against each other to tenaciously adhere together and secure the enclosure. Thus, the pposite ends of the carton are provided with four Wall thicknesses locked together in a secure fashion.

The fact that the triangular flaps of panels 18 and 24 are held within the double eared flaps 42 and 44 prevents withdrawal thereof. In addition, it is to be noted that the portions 42'e and Me of flaps 42 and 44 overlie the extreme opposite side portions of panel 22 providing support in this area and further strengthening the carton.

The exterior of the carton presents a pleasing appearance in that only single whole panels are viewed from each of the three faces and at each of the ends. The carton is economically formed from a substantially rectangular blank with little waste material and furthermore, may be easily assembled by packaging personnel constituting a savings in initial cost and also in time spent by personnel to assemble the same.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as some modifications may be obvious to those skilled in the art.

We claim:

1. A one-piece blank for a carton comprising at least three hingedly connected panels having opposed sides and opposite ends; one panel having double eared tuck flaps at the opposite ends thereof including a first generally triangular portion hingedly connected to each panel and a second generally triangular portion hingedly connected to said first portion; the remaining panels including triangular tuck flaps at the opposite ends thereof on either side of said one panel.

2. The carton blank of claim 1 wherein means are provided for locking the double eared tuck flaps to the one panel when the flaps are folded upon themselves.

3. The carton blank of claim 1 wherein the first and second portions of the double eared tuck flaps are joined by an intermediate portion.

4. The carton blank of claim 1 wherein the fold line connecting the double eared flap to the one panel lies outside of the fold lines connecting the other flaps to their respective panels.

5. The carton blank of claim 4 wherein the fold lines of the tuck flaps of the other panels are non-coincident.

6. The carton blank of claim 5 wherein the first and second portions of the double eared tuck flaps are connected to an intermediate portion spacing the first and second portions from each other when they are folded about their hinged connection to the intermediate portion.

7. The carton blank of claim 6 wherein means are provided for locking the double eared flaps to the one panel including a locking tab on the second portion thereof.

8. The carton blank of claim 7 wherein four panels are provided with tuck flaps on three of said panels.

9. The carton blank of claim 8 wherein the panel without tuck flaps terminates at opposite ends along a line coincident with the fold lines for the double eared tuck flaps.

10. The carton blank of claim 9 wherein the panel without tuck flaps is positioned between the one panel having the double eared tuck flaps and one of the remaining panels having tuck flaps.

11. The carton blank of claim 10 wherein means are provided on the panels for securing the same together following assembly of the panels about the fold lines and insertion of the tuck flaps into the double eared tuck flaps.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,322,637 11/1919 Smith 22922 X 1,664,111 3/1928 Johnson 22922 X 1,996,778 4/ 1935 Wellman 229-22 X 1,897,143 2/1933 Powell 229- 22 X 2,996,234 8/1961 Wheeler '22922 3,178,092 4/1965 Munana et al. 229-22 3,199,765 8/1965 Locke 22922 X 3,231,077 1/1966 Grimm 22922 X 3,397,771 8/1968 Fogle 229'22 X FOREIGN PATENTS 122,483 9/ 1927 Switzerland. 690,881 4/1953 Great Britain.

DAVIS T. MOORHEAD, Primary Examiner 

